Third-party developers and designers have always used their concepts and prototypes of apple computers. Some solutions were too divorced from reality, while others simply could not be implemented at the current level of technology development.
At the same time, there were always plenty of interesting ideas and unusual solutions in such concepts.
To the point: 10 Amazing iPhone Concepts That Were Still on Paper
We collected a dozen of the coolest and prototype Macs that are too bold and daring even for Apple.
1. Slim iMac 21.5″ in the style of the first Apple computers
Year recognized: 2015 when Apple released iMac Retina at 21.5″ and 27″.
Cool feature: ultra-slim body with a touch of retro design.
When there were no new ideas in the iMac line for a long time, third-party developers offered an interesting concept in the style of classic desktop computers. The front panel and curves of the body of the model refer to the first Apple computer from the 80s.
During the discovery of this concept, a collision of computers occurred. Processors requiring massive cooling Intel and the detected video cards simply could not be placed in the case of such a device.
Now that installing a Mac on Apple’s supposed ARM processors requires installing an iPad, the concept has a role to play. That’s just a 21-inch desktop computer screen, even with the classic aspect ratio of 3 to 2, today is unlikely to be convenient to use.
2. Mac mini with iPad Dock
Year recognized: 2017, before the release of the latest generation of Mac mini on processors Intel.
Cool feature: compact design and built-in iPad dock.
The developers of this concept proposed an interesting way to counter Apple computers and tablets in a single functional device. Such a dock could work in two modes. In a simple variant, this could be an iPad stand with advanced port and card reader expansion options.
The upgraded version would be more like a compact Mac mini that would use an iPad as a monitor.
You can turn a tablet into the mainstream of Mac right now, albeit with pleasure with crutches. So the concept has the right to be present.
If Apple dropped an iPad with a stripped-down macOS, such a docking station will become a popular accessory for advanced users.
3. Compact Mac Pro with easy-to-swap parts
Year recognized: 2017, two years before the recognition of the famous “grater”.
Cool feature: case with convenient replacement of various components.
Before the presentation of the Mac Pro 3rd generation, designers discover a premonition of the appearance of a powerful desktop computer from Apple. The developers of this concept offered to pack it in a compact case for placement on the desktop.
Now the model is very similar to Mac Studio, which put it on the side edge.
A unique feature of the model is a convenient computer access system. The side walls are restored, opening the compartments with the drive, RAM and video card.
The creators of the concept even offered a link to the touch panel Touchpad on the front of the device. There you can display important computer indicators and take into account system information.
4. Apple Wireless Keyboard with Touch Bar
Year recognized: 2017, one year after the presentation Macbook Pro with touch panel.
Cool feature: unusual keyboard with an extended set of features.
As the Cupertinians rolled out more and more touchpad laptops, analysts predicted a similar accessory for desktop Macs would soon follow.
A separate keyboard can be equipped with a Touch Bar. Macbook Pro.
Apple later changed its mind and ditched the touch strip in its laptop line, and then acquired a keyboard with Touch ID for user identification. Such an accessory works only with Macs on M1/M2 processors, and it does not have an additional display instead of the top part of the buttons.
5. Mac mini as speakers with Touch Bar
Year recognized: 2017, after the introduction of the Touch Bar in Apple laptops.
Cool feature: unusual appearance of the computer and additional features of the touch screen.
Inspired by the advent of the Touch Bar, designers decided to fantasize about the future generation of Mac mini desktop computers. The designer shared one of the most daring decisions Louis Berger.
He proposed to release a miniature computer in the form of a soundbar with a touch control panel. The Touch Bar, as conceived by the designer, could additionally display a system performance dock and capture space on the computer screen.
6. MacBook Pro with a display instead of a display
Year recognized: 2018, when the MacBook Pro line has already ceased to amaze.
Cool feature: the second screen can be used in different applications.
The Touch Bar aficionados took this idea and suggested sending a second screen in the laptop instead of the touch screen and trackpad.
The ergonomics of the solution remains unchanged, but the visual effect of the concept is accurate.
As planned by the designers, the second screen should adapt to the running program and display additional panels and windows for working with it.
Something may have been implemented by the developers ASUS in ZenBook Duo and ZenBook Pro Duo models
7. Mac Pro with design touches Power Mac G4 Cube
Year recognized: 2021, after the presentation of Apple’s ARM chips and rumors of an imminent lineup update.
Cool feature: compact size and combination of design from different breeds.
The designers offered their vision of such a round of evolution of Apple professional computers.
It is very similar to the current professional generation of the desktop computer, but at the same time has a more compact size. In the appearance of the model, the features of the legendary Power Mac G4 Cube are guessed, which he personally presented Steve Jobs in 2000.
Such a decision has the right to life.
8. A couple of Pro Display XDR-style iMac models
Year recognized: 2021, after the presentation of the Pro Display XDR professional monitor.
Cool feature: stylish appearance and similarity with other Apple products.
Immediately after the approval of the monitor Professional XDR Display designers began to fantasize about the appearance of iMac computers.
The idea was interesting, the appearance is combined in the design of iPad tablets and a recognizable stand in the style of a professional Apple monitor.
The model turned out to be very thin and the frames with the sides of all the matrices, according to the designers, should take up space.
The 24-inch iMac introduced later, as you already know, looked a little different.
9. MacBook with touch view and support for Apple Pencil
Year recognized: 2021 when Apple filed an analog patent.
Cool feature: support for touch input using the Apple Pencil and a niche for storing the stylus in the case.
Designers immediately picked up the idea and presented an unusual MacBook concept. Device for assembling a niche for storing and charging the stylus and a reduced panel Touchpad.
A screenshot of a laptop screen must receive a touch input sensor and, as is usually arranged in Apple, support the work with a stylus and not respond to touching the monitor.
The appearance of such a device seems to be very significant. When the sale of the iPad begins, all interested artists and designers will get Apple tablets, Cupertino can offer a more versatile solution in the form of a laptop with the ability to draw with a stylus.
10. MacBook Folio with flexible display
Year recognized: 2022, when flexible smartphones have already become normal.
Cool feature: lack of composition and flexible look of large size.
Flexible matrices are already being actively used by smartphone and TV developers, and designers are pushing for the introduction of technologies in the laptop lineup.
The developers of the concept proposed an unusual MacBook model without a display with a flexible display on the inner surface of the device. When unfolded, the lid could open 180 degrees, and the screen would increase in size.
Consideration of the concept includes the characteristic of working with a stable touch keyboard and a screen with a very strange aspect ratio when unfolded.
Fortunately, such a MacBook is definitely not expected in the coming years.
Source: Iphones RU
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